Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership

BSB80215

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Strong leadership is essential in business today. This Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership (BSB80215) is designed for those people who are required to make high level strategic decisions. At this level it is expected that participants will have full responsibility and accountability for their own work and that of others.

Many students who enrol in this program have substantial years of work experience, but not necessarily a formal qualification. This program has been designed to extend on the practical experience and knowledge acquired over the years, and integrate the theories and knowledge delivered during the program to the workplace. It also provides a pathway towards a variety of masters level qualifications at university.

Flexible Study

The on-line classes run over a 10-week study period, allowing flexible part-time study. However, there are several weekend classes and intensive week-long formats throughout the year, for those who would prefer face-to-face classes. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet others and debate and discuss the various topics within each unit.

Graduate units available

Complete two core units as shown below:

Develop your skills and knowledge and improve your ability to analyse and improve your leadership style. This unit includes the following elements:

Reflect on personal efficacy

Lead in a transformational manner

Model and cultivate collaborative thinking

Provide strategic leadership during change processes.

Assessments include forums, case analysis and short answer questions. Lessons are provided weekly and include various resources including video clips, articles, websites and podcasts. This format provides a structured approach with on-going support throughout the 10-week study period.

BSBLDR802 Lead the strategic planning process for an enterprise

This is the capstone unit for the qualification, during which students incorporate not only the content from this unit, but showcase the skills and knowledge gained throughout the program. The following elements are included:

Initiate the strategic planning process

Conduct an environmental and organisational scan

Lead the establishment of organisational key directions and goals

Lead the development of the plan’s key activities and performance indicators

Manage the implementation process

Manage the evaluation process

Throughout the 10-week study period students work on a series of tasks which are submitted for feedback, and culminate in a major proposal. Students enrolled in this unit have applied the major project to their workplace in order to develop high level strategic plans that serve the vision and mission of the organisation. This provides an opportunity for students to apply cognitive and creative skills to analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge to provide solutions to complex problems.

Complete four electives as listed below

BSBLDR804 Influence and shape diversity management

Along with the opportunities to become part of a global community and the growth of the modern diverse workforce within Australia and internationally, there is a need for leaders of the twenty-first century to be able to confidently influence and shape organisational culture , structures and processes to maximise the strategic advantages of a diverse workforce. During the ten-week study period students are introduced to the following key elements:

Influence organisational culture

Provide strategic direction in diversity management

Formulate strategic diversity priorities for the organisation

Throughout the study period students develop their research and analysis skills to understand and incorporate diversity policies and initiatives into a workplace. Students examine case studies and the evolution of cultural change, both locally and internationally. Assessments comprise forums, case analysis and presentations.

BSBLDR805 Lead and influence change

The one constant in our lives today is change and everyone usually wants change until it happens to them. In this unit students examine how to apply leadership in change management by influencing and shaping organisational culture. The key elements include:

Influence organisational culture

Anticipate change

Provide strategic leadership in change management

Students examine best practice models and change management leadership strategies. Case studies, academic articles and reports are examined to determine whether the models used were the most suitable, and how organisations have implemented and embedded change management. Internal and external factors that drive change are also examined and discussed to determine the likelihood of change for the organisation. Throughout the ten-week study period students interact with others via forums and present their views and suggestions to ensure that their organisation gains a strategic advantage regardless of any change, either evolutionary or revolutionary.

BSBLDR806 Lead and influence ethical practice

What is ethical and what we presume to be ethical can be quite different. Students will discuss the moral obligations and consequences of their actions. The key elements are:

Embody and model ethical values

Embed ethical practice into the organisation’s culture and processes

Promote ethical leadership and decision making at all levels of the organisation.

In 2019 this unit will be offered as an intensive week-long program, providing the opportunity to analyse and discuss case studies with others and culminating in the “great debate”.

BSBRES801 Initiate and lead applied research

During the ten-week study period students plan, conduct and report on applied research relevant to organisational strategic practices. Students explore the relationship between research questions and research design. They also examine raw data to develop relevant information, which can be used in decision making. The key elements of this unit are:

Construct an applied research strategy

Use a range of applied research techniques

Analyse and present findings

Weekly tasks, forums, case studies and more are used to develop students’ skills and enhance their learning. It is suggested that students complete BSBLDR806 Lead and influence ethical practice prior to enrolling in this unit.

Select two electives from the list below

BSBINN801 Lead innovative thinking and practice

This unit is particularly useful for those leaders who initiate and lead innovation in industry and communities. Students will examine a number of techniques and tools beneficial to generating new ideas and thinking. Current and past theories about innovatiion will be critiqued, as well as how internal and external conditions can drive innovation. The key elements of this unit are:

Generate innovative thinking and creativity

Lead innovative practices

Generate and support a culture of innovation

Sustain innovative thinking and practice

We recommend that students complete BSBLDR801 Lead personal and strategic transformation prior to enrolling in this unit.

Over the ten-week study period students will participate in forums, examine case studies and give presentations to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in this field.

BSBLED802 Lead learning strategy transformation

This unit is designed for students who are required to provide professional leadership to improve organisational learning, as well as the quality of training and assessment products and services.The following elements are included:

Provide leadership to learning strategy formation

Design and develop organisational learning strategy

Implement organisational learning strategy

Review organisational learning and development

Improve organisational learning strategy formation

Students will research and evaluate models and approaches to organisational learning. They will also examine and review organisational policies and procedures relevant to training and assessment. Throughout the ten-week study period, students will develop a project to initiate and implement learning program partnerships in line with regulatory, employment and organisational requirements. Case studies to determine best practices and the relationship to quality management as it relates to organisational learning will also be critiqued.

BSBLED805 Plan and implement a mentoring program

The mentoring unit includes the skills and knowledge to develop and implement a mentoring program for a particular section or group within an organisation, or as a collaborative partnership. Students will be required to plan, develop, implement, monitor and evaluate a mentoring program.

The key elements of this program are:

Plan a mentoring program

Develop tools and materials to support a mentoring program

Coordinate mentor and mentee relationships

Evaluate a mentoring program

Students will design and propose a mentoring program that could be implemented into a workplace. This includes the development of tools and resources, coordination of communications and evaluation of the actual program.

BSBLED808 Conduct a career development session

Students undertaking this unit will analyse, plan, implement and evaluate individual and target group career development needs. They will plan and conduct several career development sessions, demonstrating an understanding of career development theories and models and career development needs. The key elements of this unit are: